**Older, but newsworthy:It’s fun to see the development of the careers of Robert Pattinson and Daniel Radcliffe to have similar careers after their respective tween franchises ended. Radcliffe has been canny with his post-Potter gigs, choosing projects that better straddle art and mainstream.

Pattinson has gone more for the weird when it comes to gigs outside Twilight. (Both the intentionally weird, and the unwittingly so.) And he’s got another gig with Cronenberg in the works now, a job with Werner Herzog, and a role in The Rover, from Animal Kingdom director David Michôd. That’s good company to be in.

Now add The Lost City of Z, to be directed by James Gray based on the book by David Grann about doomed Amazon explorer Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett.

Benedict Cumberbatch is playing Fawcett, who nearly lost his life in the Amazon more than once, and finally disappeared with his son while making one last self-financed trip through the region. Screen Daily’s print issue at AFM this week (via The Playlist) says that Pattinson is now on board, and he seems like a possible pick to portray Fawcett’s son.

Here’s more detail on the book:

In 1925, Fawcett ventured into the Amazon to find an ancient civilization, hoping to make one of the most important discoveries in history. For centuries Europeans believed the world’s largest jungle concealed the glittering kingdom of El Dorado. Thousands had died looking for it, leaving many scientists convinced that the Amazon was truly inimical to humankind. But Fawcett, whose daring expeditions helped inspire Conan Doyle’s The Lost World, had spent years building his scientific case. Captivating the imagination of millions around the globe, Fawcett embarked with his twenty-one-year-old son, determined to prove that this ancient civilization—which he dubbed “Z”—existed. Then he and his expedition vanished.

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After receiving a bit of a delay last week, Universal has added two more exciting names to Baltasar Kormakur’s upcoming Everest. Joining a cast that already boasts Josh Brolin, John Hawkes and Jake Gyllenhaal, among others, are Sam Worthington and Robin Wright. Detailing the true story of a 1996 attempt to scale the titular summit that ended in disaster, the film is set for a September 18th, 2015 release date.

Currently shooting in Nepal, Everest is one of two competing films that Hollywood is churning out about the famous mountain. The other one is set up at Sony, with Doug Liman directing and Benedict Cumberbatch attached to star. That film is still in pre-production though and hasn’t been fully cast yet, so it’s likely that we’ll be seeing Universal’s version first.

According to Deadline, Worthington will play Guy Cotter and Wright take on the role of Beck Weather’s wife, Peach. For those who don’t know, Cotter is a “leading NZ Everest expedition expert” and Weather was one of the men that nearly died during the climb. In fact, he was left for dead but “recovered enough to walk alone and unassisted to nearby Camp IV.”

With a compelling story and an all-star cast, Everest looks like a surefire awards contender, especially now that it’s dropping in September. Worthington and Wright are both excellent additions to an already very impressive line-up and while I’m still not totally sold on Mr. Kormakur, having not particularly loved films like 2 Guns or Contraband, I’m still quite optimistic that Everestwill be a gripping and riveting experience that will have us hanging on for dear life.

Having tackled Sherlock and Khan over the past few years, Benedict Cumberbatch is certainly no stranger to playing iconic roles. And he’s just added one more.

Cumberbatch finally gives us a taste of dragon Smaug in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” out Friday, December 13. While Cumberbatch can’t really “play” the CGI dragon on screen, the English actor was instrumental in Smaug’s creation — and, of course, also voices the mythical creature.

Whether or not you’ve seen Cumberbatch on the big screen or the stage of late (it’s hard to miss him!), there’s still much to know about this rising star. From his African abduction to his mutation, here are 19 things you probably don’t know about Benedict Cumberbatch.

1. While on location in South Africa for “To the Ends of the Earth” (2005), Cumberbatch experienced a horrific carjacking in which he was kidnapped, but talked his way into getting released. He subsequently wrote about the shocking moment in an article for The Prince’s Trust, a charity organization founded in 1976 by Prince Charles.

2. When asked if he could be anyone, living or dead, for a day, Cumberbatch responded with, “It’s got to be Elvis, the post-war phenomena at the Star Dust in Vegas. Or someone like that.” Who doesn’t want to be the king, right?

3. He received his Master’s degree in “Classical Acting for the Professional Theatre” from the oldestdrama school in the United Kingdom, the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

4. During his time at Harrow, a prestigious and all-male boarding school in the UK, Cumberbatch was a member of the rugby team and painted oil canvases in his downtime.

5. Acting runs in Cumberbatch’s blood. He is the son of English actor Timothy Carlton (born Carlton Cumberbatch) and actress Wanda Ventham.

6. Before studying drama at Manchester University, the actor took a gap year at a Tibetan monastery, where he taught English to the resident monks. Cumberbatch was astonished at the monks ability to focus and revered their sense of purpose when working.

7. For his role as Sherlock Holmes, Cumberbatch made the creative decision to lose a significant amount of weight to give the impression that Holmes high intelligence outweighs his physical limitations — in a “mind-over-matter” sort of way.

8. He won “Best Actor” at the Laurence Olivier Awards in 2012, an esteemed honor that recognizes the best in London theatre, for his portrayal of Victor Frankenstein — and his creature — in Danny Boyle’s stage production of “Frankenstein.”

9. The actor’s grandfather was Henry Carlton Cumberbatch, a decorated submarine officer of both World Wars and a prominent figure of London high society.

10. Cumberbatch’s impersonation of Alan Rickman is so unbelievably good that he was asked to voice Rickman’s “Harry Potter” character, Snape, in a special Valentine’s Day episode of “The Simpsons” in 2013.

11. Like David Bowie, Cumberbatch has a condition called heterochromia, a mutation in which there’s a difference in coloration in his eyes. Specifically, the irises have a varying combination of blue, green, and gold.

12. His favorite director is Stanley Kubrick. He said it would take 30,000 words to explain why…

13. If he hadn’t become an actor, Cumberbatch wishes he would have a responsible job “that required a mind-blowing skill” and was seriously important.

14. As expected, Martin Freeman and Cumberbatch are good friends, having co-starred in the beloved TV series “Sherlock” and the upcoming “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.”

15. Initially, Cumberbatch had reservations about keeping his real last name as an actor and went by Carlton, just like his father. He jokes that Cumberbatch is “a fluffy old name” and admits his mother tried to get him to change it, but he eventually decided to keep the cumbersome last name when it was suggested it would help him stand out.

16. Cumberbatch has donated small, self-portrait drawings of himself to charity auctions on several occasions.

17. Tatler magazine featured Cumberbatch on the list of “Most Fascinating People in Britain,” in January 2013. He was ranked fifth, higher than the Duchess of Cambridge… Crazy!

18. After meeting at the University of Manchester, Cumberbatch began dating actress Olivia Poulet. The couple were together for 12 years, but have since split and the actor remains single.

19. The actor’s father used to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” to him as a child, even changing his voice for each character, accordingly. “A feast for a child’s imagination,” Cumberbatch said. “It’s the audiobook that will never exist.”

The world’s greatest best man speech — and the mystery of the invisible man — provide some hilarious moments for the PBS/BBC show’s second episode of season 3.

Raise your glasses to John and Mary, Sherlock‘s newest married couple. The PBS/BBC series continued season three with a wedding, an attempted murder and an epic best man’s speech. And there’s also Sherlock’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) big deduction — that John (Martin Freeman) and Mary (Amanda Abbington) are going to be parents.

Below, The Hollywood Reporter counts down 10 of the best quotes from the episode. Check out THR‘slist from last week’s premiere, as well as a Q&A withSherlock actress Abbington here.

1. “Do you know any funny stories about John?” — Sherlock to Lestrade“What?!” — Lestrade“I need anecdotes. You didn’t go through any trouble, did you?”– Sherlock to Lestrade, who left an important crime scene and ordered “maximum backup” when Sherlock texted him for help

2. “I think from now on we’ll downgrade you to casual acquaintance, no more than three planned social encounters a year and always in John’s presence. I have your contact details I will be be monitoring.” – Sherlock grilling Mary’s ex David“They were right about you. You’re a bloody psychopath.” — David“High-functioning sociopath — with your number.” –– Sherlock, with a big smile

3. “The thing about Mary is she has completely turned my life around. Changed everything. For the record, over the past few years there are two people who have done that, and the other one is – a complete dickhead.” — John giving Sherlock a heartfelt speech, only to discover the detective has left his side

4. “What are you doing back? I thought you were going to be up late.” – Mrs. Hudson, finding Sherlock and Watson drunk on the stairs“What time is it?” — Sherlock“You’ve only been out two hours.” — Mrs. Hudson

6. “It took him years to confide in me.” – Sherlock, at John’s wedding, talking about learning his friend’s middle name“That’s my birth certificate.” — John, in a flashback to how Sherlock actually learned the middle name

7. “As a mental exercise, I’ve often planned the murder of friends and colleagues. Now John, I’d poison.… I’ve given him chemicals and compounds that way and he’s never even noticed. He missed a whole Wednesday one day.” — Sherlock

8. “Now, let’s talk about murder – sorry, did I say murder? I meant to say marriage.” – Sherlock during his speech, as he’s trying to figure out who the Mayfly Man is

9. “You are not a puzzle solver; you never have been. You’re a drama queen. Now there is a man in there who’s about to die. The game is on. Solve it!” – Watson to Sherlock on why he can solve the Invisible Man case now that there is a life on the line

10. “I love dancing. I’ve always loved it.” — Sherlock, revealing he has more of a human side than he lets on.

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Proposed Lego sets based on the popular British series starring Benedict Cumberbatch are competing with five other finalists.

Sherlock Holmes may be getting his own Lego sets.

Proposals for Sherlock Lego sets were submitted through the Lego Cuusoo project, a platform that allows fans to bring ideas they want to see to fruition. When a particular proposal hits 10,000 supporters, it qualifies for company review. On Thursday, the official blog announced that the Sherlock proposal was one of six finalists for the winter 2014 slot.

“This project has everything you need to act out your favorite scenes from 221B Baker Street, including a consulting criminal and a gaggle of characters for Sherlock to coyly insult,” the post said of the set, submitted by user Flailx.

Two Sherlock Lego versions were presented. One set, with a proposed 370 pieces, re-creates the consultation/living room in 221B Baker Street. The other set, an expanded version of the living area shared by Sherlock Holmes and John Watson, would contain roughly 630 pieces (or 450 without the display).

The Lego sets would include mini figures of Sherlock, John, the villainous Jim Moriarty, Inspector Lestrade, Mrs. Hudson, Molly Hooper and Mycroft Holmes in various combinations.

Other finalists being considered include inspirations from Back to the Future and Legend of Zelda.

The current review period ends in early May. During this time, the Lego company decides which of the finalists it can successfully produce as official sets and which it cannot.

Sherlock wrapped its third season on PBS Masterpiece in the U.S. on Feb. 9 with 3 million viewers.

Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss say they would love to continue the BBC hit show with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman for a long time, but getting everyone together is a challenge.

LONDON — The storylines of season four of BBC hit show Sherlock are already broadly mapped out, co-creators and writers Steven Moffat and Mark Gatisssaid here Tuesday night.

After season three of the detective series aired on the BBC early in the year, the fourth season is expected to be ready for 2016, but no official airdates have been announced.

Speaking at an event organized by the Royal Television Society, Gatiss said he and Moffat have mapped out “what will happen in the next season” of the show, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freemanas Doctor Watson. But he said those plans will “get more detailed” as production for the next three-episode season draws nearer.

Asked if they see the show continuing long into the future, Gatiss said: “The idea of growing older with it would be great. But it is hard to get everyone back together, because they have become extremely famous — except for us.” The remark drew laughs.

Moffat, who is currently working on the first Doctor Whoseas on with Peter Capaldi in the lead role, echoed that the writing duo sees enough material from the original Holmes stories that could be addresses and modernized.

While they dropped no specific hints about the fourth season, Moffat and Gatiss confirmed that Holmes’ arch enemy Moriarty (Andrew Scott), who was revealed to be alive at the end of the third season, would be featured in the new season. They said his return was not added last-minute due to fan demand, but they had long planned it.

Meanwhile, the show is also likely to see increased roles for female characters Molly Hooper (Louise Brealey) and Mrs. Hudson (Una Stubbs), the creators said. They also hinted that new female characters could be added.

Gatiss said that as the show continues, “It’s about keeping it new” and introducing new characters, as well as continuing “Sherlock’s gradual humanization.”

During the Tuesday evening event, entitled “Sherlock — Anatomy of a Hit,” Moffat recalled that he didn’t have high expectations for ratings when he started the show. “I thought it would be a little niche show that would win an award in Poland,” he said.

Added Ben Stephenson, controller of drama commissioning at the BBC: “Did we know we had a phenomenal hit? No.”

He recalled that when he and his team watched the original 60-minute pilot for Sherlock, they concluded: “There was just something about it. We actually controversially, according to newspapers, decided not to show it,” but wanted to reshoot a 90-minute version and do a three-episode first season.

Asked if they cast Cumberbatch to get a star, Moffat and Gatiss said he was a respected actor, but not yet a star at that time. They said the creators and BBC executives had Cumberbatch in mind and loved his performance when he did his first reading.

Stephenson said: “Nobody had a clue who he was. I did.” He added: “Great shows are not about stars, but about great shows. And they make stars.”

The BBC executive said he has often been asked why the first season of Sherlock launched in the summer, explaining that this shouldn’t be seen as the U.K. public broadcaster not giving the detective series proper support. “The autumn is not better,” Stephenson said. “There are not more people available to watch.”

The role of social media, including Twitter, in the creative writing process for TV was also part of Tuesday’s discussion. Gatiss and Moffat said that they used all the fan discussion — on social media and elsewhere — about Holmes’ fall from the roof of a building at the end of season two as inspiration to present different versions of what could have happened early in season three.

Does Twitter affect Sherlock storylines? “It can’t,” Moffat said, emphasizing that creatives must focus on their stories and can’t constantly look for input on social media.

The rights give the streaming service the exclusive, first VOD run of the British series in Spain.

MADRID — Spanish streaming service Wuaki.tv, owned by Japan’s e-commerce giant Rakuten, acquired exclusive online rights in Spain to the BBC’s Sherlock, which will have its first run on VOD via the Barcelona-based service.

Wuaki.tv, which recently passed the 1 million subscribers mark between its services in Spain and the U.K., allows users to watch programs on a range of devices, such as computers, Smart TV, Samsung and Panasonic tablets, iPads and iPhones, and Xbox One and Xbox 360 video consoles.

“Moves like this show Wuaki.tv’s commitment to offering our users the best films and series that are available in the market and also that they can enjoy all the advances with the best viewing systems,” said Wuaki director of content Josep Monleon.

Users will be able to find the British series, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman in a contemporary rendering of Sir Conan Doyle‘s famous detective series, starting March 28.

In Spain, where Netflix has yet to enter the market and other on-demand services have shied away due to unbridled piracy, Wuaki.tv has cornered the streaming market and has only grown since its July 2012 acquisition by Rakuten.

After an incident-free Malaysian Grand Prix, it was the bizarre sight of Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch interviewing race winner Lewis Hamilton that become the main talking point in Sepang.

The Brit completed a pole-to-flag victory to complete a Mercedes one-two in the second race of the F1 season, yet the presence of Cumberbatch joining the leading drivers on the podium caused much head-stratching.

Cumberbatch, who watched from the Mercedes garage during the race and was also trackside during qualifying on Saturday was cool, calm and extremely composed as he took a break from his day job to quiz Hamilton on his victory.

“That was Incredible. After such a difficult weekend, a long winter, for such a great crowd, I feel so grateful,” Hamilton said.

“After such a tragedy a few weeks ago I dedicate this win to those people and their families.

“What a great car and what a great job from everyone.”

Cumberbatch then moved over to Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate and probed Nico Rosberg who finished second.

“I got a great start and from then on I tried to chase Lewis, but he was a bit too quick,” said Rosberg.

Four-time defending world champion Sebastian Vettel was powerless to catch Rosberg in his Red Bull and he finished third, with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso fourth and Nico Hulkenberg fifth for Force India.

The win was sweet for Hamilton, who has not topped the podium since Hungary last July and retired early at the season-opener in Australia, setting back his bid for a second world title.

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Vote for Benedict as Sherlock in Alpha Male Madness:The first cut is the deepest. Especially when you’re trimming 32 handsome leading men!

Alas, it had to be done in order to crown our next Alpha Male Madness winner. Our annual tournament is officially underway and 32 small screen actors have advanced to the second round of competition.

Some of the fan favorites who fell in round one? OUAT‘s Colin O’Donoghue, Teen Wolf‘s Tyler Posey and two True Blood hunks, Stephen Moyer and Joe Manganiello, to name but a few. (Hate to see them go, love to watch them leave. Sorry, we’re gross.)

But let’s not dwell on the past as a new round of voting kicks off…right now!

Still in the running for 2014’s title are all three of Supernatural’s leading men, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins, as well as The Vampire Diaries‘ Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley and Scandal‘s Scott Foley and Tony Goldwyn. And kudos to tournament newbies Toby Regbo, Tom Mison and Michael Ealy for making it through!

AND BENEDICT!!!!

This round of voting closes Sunday, March 30 at 5 p.m. PT, with the Sweet 16 kicking off on Monday morning.

So cancel your brunch plans and order in this weekend, you have some voting to do!

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There are some things that British men do best: making a pot of tea, playing dastardly villains and wearing the bejesus out of a tailored suit. I mean, “Hot damn, British men!” In honor of how gosh darn good these guys look all cleaned up, we’re ranking the best British men in suits.

Ranking the best British men in suits was not easy for us. It’s like choosing between your babies, but worse because you’re choosing between the hot men that you fantasize about having babies with. Every guy on this list is incredibly hot, unbelievably suave and looks fantastic in a suit. Ultimately, our ranking came down to how well the suit was tailored, how comfortable the man in question looked in the suit and how stylish the whole look was.

So, who looks better in a tailored suit? The long and lean Tom Hiddleston or the sharply dressed Benedict Cumberbatch? The undeniably dapper Idris Elba or the pristine and perfect Robert Pattinson? Mr. Darcy (Colin Firth) or James Bond (Daniel Craig)? The British man who is best at wearing suits may actually surprise you, but we don’t think you’ll mind one bit being shaken and stirred.

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The 50-year-old actor, who returns to the theatre in Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge, recalls his inspiring encounter with the playwright eighteen years ago

Then there is The Imitation Game, a biopic starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing, the man who cracked the Enigma Code during the Second World War. ‘I play Stuart Menzies, head of MI6. It’s very cleverly written in two time frames, and Harvey Weinstein has just bought it in Berlin for something crazy like $7 million. So I think that will get noticed, and it might be rather a good film.’